Churches can give ex-prisoners hope: Corrections Canada

People who work in the prison system are appealing to churches in Saint John to help offenders re-enter the community.

Ex-offenders and corrections officials spoke at a forum at Trinity Church on Tuesday. They said there's a gap between the support that offenders receive through the prison system and what's available in their home communities.

Monty Lewis is a former inmate who now helps others make the transition to life outside prison. He said finding food, shelter and making everyday decisions can be overwhelming for many people just getting out of jail.

"It's much easier then to go get drunk or stoned and then figure, 'I'm blotting it out, I'm forgetting about it' and then when they come around, it's even worse than it was before," he said.

Sally Allanac, a senior parole officer with the Correctional Service of Canada, said the church community in Saint John is doing important work with ex-offenders, providing them with meals, clothing, and a drop-in centre.

Last month, churches served 2,300 meals to hungry people, including ex-offenders.

But Allanach said churches throughout the city can still do more to help ex-offenders "We're seeing it sort of like the hub of the wheel, and that the different churches will be the spokes and can be our tentacles out to the community," she said.